The Baptism of Holy Spirit David FieldNovember 5, 2009
John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
If this is the scripture that proves a Christian must be baptized, as born of water, then if one is not baptized in the Holy Spirit, he is also doomed. The baptism of the Holy Spirit does not automatically occur upon the accepting of Jesus blood. Jesus said the Holy Ghost be sent to us after he left the earth. It came to the church at the time of the annual Jewish feast of Pentecost, as described in Acts. These men where thought by outsiders to be drunk, but they were drunk in the spirit, so it must have looked somewhat similar to being intoxicated with alcohol. Alcohol induced drunkenness is marked by a change in speech, physical stumbling, and laughter. Only those that have experienced it would know.
John 14 16And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
1 Corinthians 12 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues 28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
1 Corinthians 13 8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
1 Corinthians 13 is the scripture that is quoted by non‐believers in the baptism of the Holy Ghost as described in Acts in support of not using the power Jesus commanded his believers to employ. Jesus told his disciples (and in turn all believers) to preach the gospel, heal the sick, and raise the dead.
Matthew 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
Mark 16 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Jesus is speaking to all believers here when he said, “these signs shall follow them that believe”. It is understood by the church today that everything told to the twelve are marching orders for all. Except the parts that they don’t understand, or do not want to understand. Why the resistance to God, I do not know. It could be from of the lack of faith, and an unwillingness to admit it, out of pride, especially among preachers. How can a preacher stand up in front of the congregation and say that there are major portions of scripture that he doesn’t understand, or have the faith to put into practice? He wouldn’t feel justified to hold the position of pastor and may feel that he should step down. It is much easier to discount the scripture. But to discount the scripture is to discount and forsake God’s holy word, a huge infraction. Guilt is from the enemy. The bible says we only have knowledge in part, so no one should feel guilty for not knowing everything. But once convicted, a true Christ follower should repent, and seek the truth. These truths are not for a burden, but for the benefit of believers.
Paul is speaking this after Jesus’ ascent to heaven. This proves that he was not talking about Jesus when he used the words “that which is perfect”. He is not talking about Jesus because Jesus had already come. Look at the scripture in its context. What is Paul speaking of here in verse 10? The subjects are knowledge and prophesy from verse 9. To apply this verse to the power of the Holy Spirit and all the spiritual gifts is out of context. And Paul is not talking about the bible either. The bible may be perfect, but the knowledge of it is not, and knowledge is the subject here. The Word of God is not the subject. When the church has perfect knowledge, we will no longer require a word of knowledge from our prophets. That will happen when we acquire our spiritual bodies. At that time we will reign with Christ.
Acts 8 14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
Baptism in the Holy Spirit is not automatic upon accepting Jesus blood, or being "saved". These Samaritans, as stated have received the word of God, meaning they had received Jesus, and were saved, but now needed the baptism of the Holy Ghost.